Overview & Reviews

Chevrolet sells an impressively wide range of vehicles, from subcompact hatchbacks to huge vans and SUVs. If you're looking for a reasonably priced vehicle, odds are that Chevy will have something to fit your needs.

Chevrolet got its start in 1911. After William C. Durant had been ousted from General Motors, he joined forces with Swiss-born racecar driver Louis Chevrolet to found the Chevrolet Motor Car Company. The company's first offering was the Classic Six. Introduced in 1912, this five-passenger touring sedan could top 65 mph, fast for the time. Chevrolet's storied bowtie logo -- reportedly inspired by the wallpaper of a Paris hotel room that Durant stayed at -- made its first appearance in 1914.

By 1918, Chevrolet's profitability allowed Durant to purchase enough shares in GM to regain control. Chevrolet became another division of GM, and was its largest volume division by the mid-1920s. By 1927, Chevrolet outsold rival Ford, with sales in excess of 1 million units.

In the mid-1930s Chevrolet introduced independent front suspension, which provided a smoother ride over the rough roads of the day. The 1940s saw continued success with affordable coupes, sedans and pickup trucks catering to American families, farmers and businessmen.

By the mid-1950s, Chevrolet, GM's entry-level division, had added a V8 engine, power steering and brakes, power windows and air-conditioning to its list of available features, allowing luxury for those on a tighter budget. Around this time the iconic Bel Air model -- available in coupe, sedan, convertible and wagon body styles -- proved very popular. The company introduced its alluring Corvette in 1953; the vehicle was the first mass-produced car with a fiberglass body.

The 1960s saw the unveiling of the popular, air-cooled Corvair compact, which held the distinction of being the first domestic production car with all-around independent suspension. That decade also witnessed the launch of the compact Nova, the midsize Chevelle and the sporty Camaro, the latter Chevrolet's answer to the wildly successful Ford Mustang. The Camaro proved an instant hit, comprising 10 percent of Chevrolet's total sales in 1967, its first year of production.

In the 1970s, Chevy responded to changing preferences by introducing small cars like the Vega and the Chevette, and by downsizing larger models such as the Caprice and Malibu. The company combated the market domination of foreign nameplates in the 1980s by rolling out the Cavalier. By the end of that decade, trucks and SUVs had started to become increasingly popular with the general consumer, and the brand's mid- and full-size models continue to this day to be some of the most popular on the road.

The '90s and the early 2000s saw the company raising the performance bar with its Corvette (notably the Z06 and, later, ZR1 variants) and reincarnated Impala SS. Chevrolet's Silverado pickup truck and Tahoe/Suburban SUVs continued to be hits as well. By 2010, the Camaro had returned to the lineup after a seven-year hiatus.

Modern times have seen Chevrolet make significant improvements in its small and midsize car models and introduce the Volt plug-in hybrid. The latter provides a nearly 40-mile range on electric power alone, and adds to the company's already well-rounded lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs. Though today's marketplace is very demanding, Chevrolet seems poised to remain a power player through its affordable and innovative vehicles.

User Reviews:

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  First and last Sub for me - 1999 Chevrolet Suburban
  By mr steve - March 16 - 2:00 am

  On the positive side this SUV has good power and tows fairly well but upkeep is getting expensive. At 60k miles replaced rearend (started out as a roar from a wheel bearing), 75K miles Transmission rebuilt (broken planetary gears and bad bearings). While in the shop for the trans. Intake starts leaking coolant. These repairs along with three altenators before 76K miles makes me believe that Chevy has a problem. I will not buy another one, might lease one and turn it in before things go bad!

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  Cant Stop Smiling - 2004 Chevrolet SSR
  By drgb - March 16 - 2:00 am

  Okay, okay, I waited and waited for this car, and worried that it would never meet my expectations. The first wait was concept to production, then Chevys production problems, and lastly couldnt get a ship and build date--BUT- -now that its here, I CANT STOP SMILING!! The SSr is gorgeous. Sure, the trucks not a rocket, but on crowded roads,who needs speed, anyways? The truck cant tow, but this isnt a workhorse, its for stylin. And, with that throaty rumble when you step on the gas, its all about stylin. Think Ill buy another color...

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  Not the best truck to drive - 1995 Chevrolet S-10
  By Habnar - March 15 - 2:00 am

  When I first tried to drive this truck off the lot I put it in reverse and let out the clutch and heard the gears grinding. I went back in and told the dealer that there is something wrong with the transmission. Oh no, he says, that is normal, you have to wait 6 seconds after you put it in reverse before you can let out on the clutch. That is the biggest beef I have with this truck. I have the 2.2L, 4 cyl. and the head gasket went at about 85,000. Other than that it has been very reliable. The truck can be a handful to drive, especially around sharp turns and exit ramps at highway speeds.

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  Good for the money - 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By kmant - March 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Cavalier used with 57,000 miles on it. I had to replace the pulley on the a/c and the rear strut mount right away. I noticed it started leaking oil around 110,000 miles. I replaced the head gasket one weekend around 115,000 miles. There is rust on the bottom of the front and rear door on the passenger side. Had to replace the spark packs at 135,000 miles. There is a low humming noise when I turn left. I have 138,000 miles on it and that 2.2 still runs strong. No oil burning. Other than the above mentioned, the car always starts. For the money it is a good car and I would buy another.

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  Great Truck for the money - 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche
  By bert gonnella - March 14 - 10:00 am

  This is a true SUV. We use it as our family hauler. Back seat plenty big for kids. Use it as a pickup for bringing anything home fromthe local home depot We just got back from a vacation where we loaded the back end with anything that would fit and we towed a 22 foot boat and truck worked great. Great truck!

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  ThisSUV is AWESOME - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By TrlBlzrLvr - March 14 - 10:00 am

  This is a fun car to drive. It has a very roomy interior and it looks nice. It doesnt have any of that cheap plasticy stuff.It rides very smoothly and the inline 6 has a lot of pep. My only compaint is the engine is a little louder sounding that what Im use to.

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  Good idea-too many problems - 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Joe Nagle - March 14 - 10:00 am

  I like the concept, design, styling, ride and performance. All of the reviews were very positive so I bought one. The front seats could use more support. Although the turning radius is tight the steering could be quicker. The first time I tried to use the 4wd the drive train computer fried. Next, the electric mirrors malfunctioned. I have to take it back a third time for that. Then the front wheel bearing seals began to squeal and had to be replaced.All this happened in the first 10k miles. If this keeps up Im dumping it and Chevy.

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  impala review - 2004 Chevrolet Impala
  By vivas - March 14 - 10:00 am

  whenever i had to get somewhere fast this car was great.

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  First suburban wont be the last - 1991 Chevrolet Suburban
  By mountain dweller - March 14 - 2:00 am

  I purchased it to get the 8 passenger seating plus it came with a plow. Engine is ultra powerful! Tows large loads without complaint. Plows snow without even seeming to notice. My wife loves the thing.

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  old Blue - 1990 Chevrolet Lumina
  By Koots - March 14 - 2:00 am

  Bought car in 93. Replaced head gaskets once. Two water pumps.One rebuilt failed Two crankshaft sensors, one non gm. One ps pump, got one from junk yard. Two rear brake calipers, poor design. One cat converter. Has 206000 miles on it. Drives like new. Very dependable. Rusty rockers.